It was a pleasure for me to attend this years Palarong Pambansa in Cebu with PBBM leading the opening ceremony. For this year, this one was initially designated for Negros Occ to host but Cebu suddenly came in after claiming that they have never had it in thirty years. I have always attended Palaro games but don't really remember when was the last time they had it. It seems like it was only yesterday. Time really flies. Invited by John Pages, who's now the President for Cebu City Sports, it was a reunion for me to meet his lovable parents again, Bunny and Allen, after many years they spent in Bacolod in our younger years. And of course, media friends from way back. Gov Gwen and Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia really prepared for this one and I'm sure the athletes from all over, had a grand time playing in the City of pochero and lechon.
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Recently saw the popular Diamond League of athletics held last week in Paris to prepare for the Olympics end of this month and hope EJ Obiena improves his record. It was the same story with pole vault world record holder Finlands Duplantis lording it over everyone including EJ who placed only fifth overall. Americans were also their stride hoping for medals too in the Big Games starting July 26th. EJ has to do more homework to grab a medal this time around. People here expect no less after all the hype he's been getting all these years.
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I'm impressed with the disciplinary actions being implemented on volleyball players recently by my friend Ricky Palou and company in the Premier Volleyball League. It's about time we install discipline with these Prima donnas, who turn their backs on their home provinces and universities who searched and trained them to be given athletic scholarships only to turn professionals. Money really talks these days.
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Glad the Philippine Sports Commission is giving more incentives to our Olympians now training in Paris if only to motivate them to do their very best for our beloved country. Most of our athletes come from humble beginnings and need all the help they can get for their families. Good move PSC Chairman Dickie Bachmann.
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Happy birthday to the icon that saved Philippine basketball. Ruled many many years ago by the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), this writer was part of the group that initiated and convinced Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan to take over the future of Philippine Basketball. It was no easy picking as Mr. MVP was reluctant at first due to the negative media outburst coming from Graham Lim and company, which headed BAP then for many many years. We had a hard time initially convincing the late FIBA Sec gen Patrick Baumann and higher officials who had built a close friendship with the Hong Kong and Philippine mafia through all those years. To cut the story short, we do not know now where Mr. Graham Lim was exiled and who knows where. Happy birthday again MVP, our savior and benefactor. Madamo nga salamat.
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